More candidates will challenge Rep. McGovern

Four candidates — including three Republicans and an independent — have organized to gather nomination papers for the 2nd Congressional District seat in this fall’s election. The four are among six candidates who have expressed interest in running for the seat of Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim McGovern of Worcester, who has served since 1997.

Two hopefuls have apparently withdrawn from the race.

The Federal Elections Commission also has filings for independent candidate Paul V. Grady of Hubbardston and Republican candidates Kevin Powers of Millville and Tracy Lovvorn.

Grady, says on his website — paulvgradyforuscongressdistrict2ma.com — that he is a Navy veteran, has owned his own drilling company and now works for Worcester Elevator Co. and “am running because I feel my community is not being represented by someone, who is not, truly a representative of the people for whom he serves.”

Powers is a Millville entrepreneur and small business owner, who is advocating for term limits, better jobs and energy independence.

It lists no filing for Jeremy Kurtz of Holden, although Kurtz, a Holden selectman and chair of Holden Economic Development Commission, confirmed Thursday that he is a candidate. His website — Kurtz4congress.com, says he is a Navy veteran and has worked for Staples and an information tech company.

Lovvorn, the CEO and founder of Evolution Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Grafton, and has been a member of the Grafton’s Planning Board. According to her website — tracyforcongress.com — “I am exhausted from dead end political extremism in Washington, D.C., that leads to constant resistance and accomplishes little.”

McGovern has said he plans to seek re-election to represent the district, which includes Greenfield, Montague and the eastern half of Franklin County.

Republican Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette of North Grafton and Democrat Dominic Warren of Worcester, along with McGovern, filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission last year.

A Dom Warren for Congress Committee, which filed with the FEC in April 2017, also filed termination notice with the commission in December.

Sossa-Paquette has withdrawn from the race, according to Nicole Reeves Lavallee, a spokeswoman for the Sossa-Pacquette Campaign Committee.

McGovern said Thursday, “If people feel they have something to offer, they ought to run. I was the longest of long shots, and I won. I don’t shy away from competition. I’m proud of my record and feel good about my record, and will defend it.”

Completed nomination papers with 2,000 certified signatures must be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office by June 5.